Suspended term for Coolock man who let bank account be used in fraud

A man who allowed his bank account to be used as part of an invoice redirect fraud involving a Dublin school has been handed a suspended sentence.

Leigh Deegan (23) of Clonshaugh Walk, Coolock, Dublin 17, pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime on March 27, 2020.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Thursday that Gardaí were contacted by staff from St Andrew’s College in Dublin after the college was advised that a company providing IT services were changing their bank details, and a lodgement of €11,480 was made.

€9,200 was transferred to Deegan’s account and withdrawn in three ATM transactions.

Deegan was identified, and when interviewed, he told Gardaí that he lost his debit card while working and someone had guessed his PIN.

A local garda said he did not accept Deegan’s account during the interview, adding that Deegan was not behind the invoice redirect fraud.

Deegan initially took a trial date before entering a guilty plea. He has no previous convictions.

The garda agreed with the defence counsel that it was “inevitable” that his client would be identified, and the money transferred into his account was withdrawn within a day.

It was accepted that Deegan was a “cog” in the scheme and not its “brain”.  The garda also agreed that Deegan was cooperative with the investigation.

Defence counsel said his client was 19 at the time of the offence and has had mental health difficulties. A number of references were handed to the court on his behalf. His parents were also in court to support him.

Deegan is working as an apprentice plumber and has a total sum of €5,000 available to offer as compensation.

Judge Martin Nolan said it seems Deegan was “tempted by easy money” and was “evasive with Gardaí”.

He noted that Deegan has no previous convictions and his age at the time of the offence, adding he is getting on well now.

Judge Nolan said Deegan is “probably unlikely to re-offending” and the court considers it would be “unjust to imprison” him.

He imposed a one-year suspended sentence on strict conditions. The judge also directed that the sum of €5,000 be paid to St Andrew’s College within two weeks or applied to a local charity by the investigating garda if the school does not wish to accept it.